May is nearly over and it’s time for those loved ones in our lives to don their graduation caps and gowns and to celebrate closing one chapter in their lives!

We all know someone who is graduating is some form…whether it’s from high school or University, or from diapers! I have a little gal graduating from preschool and it’s a really big deal! At least, I’ll MAKE it a big deal It also means that they are most likely moving on to a NEW chapter in their lives. THAT is the really exciting part, right? Moving out, moving up, moving on! What to get for the grad in your life to celebrate this momentous occasion? IShare to the rescue!! The IShare sites are overflowing with fun ideas to gift to your grad, regardless of their interests, age, gender, or personality. I have gathered just a few ideas to get those wheels turning~

Often graduating means the big step of becoming an adult! It’s an entirely new level of independence and maturity. Why not show your confidence in them by gifting them something useful for the next step in his/her life? Soap Deli has many ideas, including these homemade (and green) cleaning supplies! Spend a little extra time to create some cute and unique labels to really personalize this gift!

If homemade is what you like, then also try making your own lip balm to gift the grad in your life. Personalize it with her favorite scent and a cute label. This is great if you have a few grads you’d like to give a little something to. Inexpensive and SO cool.

Born Again Creations shares how to customize a cookie/cake tin for that grad who might be moving out on his own. Personalize it with photos of your family or the grad’s favorite rock band! Oh, you have to fill it with his favorite treats, too, let’s not forget

Sassy Sarah’s Fun has the right idea with this personalized clock. This is such a cute reminder to your grad of how much you love her and are thinking of her. You could personalize it to say absolutely anything that might be meaningful as a commemorative gift for your special grad.

Bookmarks are useful, inexpensive, and fun gifts to give grads of ANY age! I know my girls will each be getting one to celebrate their graduation from each grade they are in this year. Even better that it encourages them to READ over the summer break

There are a lot of different bookmark ideas on IShare Crafts, but here are a few that caught my eye.

Mormish Mom’s ruffled fabric bookmarks are so precious, and easy to make!

A classic gift for graduates is a picture frame. I love the idea of giving them something to help them remember their journey. Stick a photo from their school year (or whatever their milestone was) into a customized frame for a very meaningful gift.

Monograms are huge right now and “A Little Tipsy” shows how to make this gorgeous monogrammed frame with a secret ingredient!

What graduation would be complete without a PARTAY?!?! “Did Someone Say Party?” submitted an amazing post complete with ideas GALORE for a grad party to rule all grad parties. Here is just a little “taste” of what you’ll find:

1. Only submit your own stuff. We love that you want to SHARE, but share your own creations We won’t post 3rd party submissions. Sorry ladies!

2. Do not submit etsy listings or other items for sale. We are a site for sharing FREE tutorials, printables, recipes, and ideas. Keep on creating and selling, but do that on the sites that are meant for it.

3. Take GREAT pictures! Make sure that your photos are NOT too dark, too grainy, too small, or too overwhelmed by the background. We want your idea to SHINE and for your photo to do it justice. This is for your own benefit. We want as many readers to be attracted to your submission as possible! A great photo will attract readers like a bee to honey

4. Be patient. We get so many FABULOUS submissions that it takes a while to get each submission up on the site. Why don’t we just put all of them up at once? Well, we really want each and every submission to have it’s moment to SHINE on the site! We don’t want your idea to be buried by dozens of new posts every day. Make sense?

I live in a little place called Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and love being a Canuck! I married my very best friend 15 years ago and am a mother to four adorable girls who keep me on my toes constantly. Being a homemaker is my favorite occupation, though I'm also a portrait photographer and avid Project Lifer! Oh, and I LOVE working at HowDoesShe, sharing ideas for women, by women, on how to make the most out of our lives! It's amazing!
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May 1st, 2012 at 5:00 pmJocelyn says:Bobbi, I have tried going to the graduation party favors and retro printables, and I am getting a 404 error. Are they no longer good? I know that it has almost been a year... But I have a high school senior graduating in June... Thanks.

June 1st, 2012 at 8:12 amRebecca says:If you are looking for a unique Graduation Gift try www.gratefulchics.com. This Houston based company founded by two "Mompretreneurs" feature gifts that are centered around Gratitude. It's a great way to help new graduates focus on the good in their life during this time of exciting transition. Grateful Chics have lots of inspirational gift items for him or her and even a NEW Graduation Gift pack set for only $18 each.

Although Alison, Missy & Shelley started HowDoesShe in 2009, the real backbone of HowDoesShe is its many talented female writers and contributors from all over the United States and Canada, sharing both personal and professional articles and tutorials on how to be amazing women. Read more...